Two Beardstown Men Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2008

Springfield, Ill. – Two Beardstown, Illinois men have been arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint filed today with conspiring to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, as announced by Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Henry Reyes, also known as Gonzalo Reyes-Gomez, 34, of the 600 block of Jefferson Street, and Jose Ruiz, 21, of the 900 block of Dey Street, appeared in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron G. Cudmore.

Reyes was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The initial appearance for Ruiz was continued until tomorrow, May 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Immigration and Customs Enforcement administrative detainers have also been filed against both men who advised the court that they are not legal U.S. residents.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois State Police, the Central Illinois Enforcement Group, the Beardstown Police Department and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the case which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory M. Gilmore and Jason M. Bohm.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

If convicted, the statutory penalty for conspiracy to distribute cocaine is up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.